(CNN) - Police in Portland, Oregon, say they have reopened their investigation into a massage therapist's allegation that former Vice President Al Gore had "unwanted sexual contact" with her in 2006, a police spokeswoman said Wednesday.

"The Portland Police Bureau has made the decision to re-open the case regarding the allegations brought forward against Mr. Al Gore," Detective Mary Wheat said in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon. "Consistent with our policy regarding open investigations, the Police Bureau will not be commenting
on any additional specifics regarding this case at this time."

A renewed investigation "will only benefit Mr. Gore," said Kalee Kreider, a spokeswoman for the former vice president.

"The Gores cannot comment on every defamatory, misleading, and inaccurate story generated by tabloids," Kreider said. "Mr. Gore unequivocally and emphatically denied this accusation when he first learned of its existence three years ago. He stands by that denial."
The therapist told police in a prepared statement in January 2009 that she was "repeatedly subjected to unwanted sexual touching" by Gore during an October 2006 massage she performed on the former vice president at his hotel room, Portland police disclosed last week.

The department concluded there was not enough evidence to bring charges against the former vice president. Police said her attorney had approached police in 2006, but she did not speak with detectives at that time.

The attorney told investigators in January 2007 that the accuser would pursue a civil case and "declined the assistance" of detectives. The Police Bureau said last week it disclosed the matter after a story on the complaint appeared in the tabloid National Enquirer.

soundoff(43 Responses)

A. Goodwin

Pursuing a civil case but not a criminal case? Wow – couldn't guess she was just out for money!!! And if she were a true professional – and he made advances at her – she should have left at the first hint of inappropriateness. Massage therapists deal with this quite frequently, and a true professional would have nipped it in the bud or LEFT if it were true and not waited years to report it.

July 1, 2010 08:21 am at 8:21 am |

ABCmom1971

The accuser just wants money and fame, how can you "declined the assistance" of detectives for your case, but would pursue a civil case....hoping to settle out of court$$$$$$ Is business slow?

July 1, 2010 08:34 am at 8:34 am |

Jim

So surprising that the lamestream media like this site aren't covering this like they do when a Republican has allegations made against them...As long as you are a Democrat the, "seriousness of the allegations " standard for coverage doesn't apply.

July 1, 2010 09:02 am at 9:02 am |

Laverne

I am sympathetic to any woman who goes through rape or something in that category, However, I don't buy this lady's story. Her claims are about money. How in the world you can come to the detectives 2-3 years later with a 69 page written statement about a 30 min. massage appointment? I am not saying he did not say something inappropriate to her, but I am sure it wasn't the first time she had something inappropriate said to her and did not sue. She sees green and I hope she gets nothing!

July 1, 2010 09:18 am at 9:18 am |

Willy Brown

Good treat Al like a republican.

July 1, 2010 09:27 am at 9:27 am |

jp,michigan

Well, isn't this becoming an open bag of tricks! The kettle (Gore) has called the pot (Clinton) black, and guess who jumped into the fire himself.

July 1, 2010 09:28 am at 9:28 am |

Michael Armstrong Sr. Tx.

Al Gore is a smuck I lost respect for him whenever he ran for president and acted like a child when he lost I dont blame his wife for leaving that whimp .

July 1, 2010 10:05 am at 10:05 am |

Sun52shine

Whose behind the scene pushing this woman and her allegations-look deeply – probably the same people who pushed the womanizing scheme against former President Clinton – the conservative right wingers. Those people who don't believe that we have an environmental problem.

Destory the creditability of the messager (Gore) and you destory the message! Regardless to what this woman allegations are the earth is getting warmer!

July 1, 2010 10:08 am at 10:08 am |

Matt

I didn't think Gore had it in him. Hopefully jail time will stop the cap and trade nonsense that helped destroy Spain's economy.

July 1, 2010 10:28 am at 10:28 am |

Liberals are poison

Democrat's ploy right out of Saul Alinsky's playbook, demonize the accuser. Where is the NOW gang defending this lady, she's a liberal too? Too bad the liberals only go after Republicans that cheat on their wives. Clinton, Gore, Edwards, Spitzer, the ex-male bonding Gov. of NJ, etc., it's the badge of honor for Democrats and the scarlet letter for Republicans. Soon it will be the Mac Daddy himself at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

July 1, 2010 10:29 am at 10:29 am |

Jim

This will be a mess. Even if hotel and bank records show that 4 years ago, Gore was in that hotel and paid her for a message, that isn't the alleged crime. There is no physical evidence and no witnesses. This comes down to a "he-said, she-said" of the worst kind. No one wants to let a potential sleazeball off the hook and no one wants to facilitate a shake down of the innocent either.

She really shouldn't have gone for the money in civil court before going to the police. It destroyed her credibility.

July 1, 2010 10:30 am at 10:30 am |

phoenix86

Al Gore is a sleazebag. Him and John Edwards were the perfect pair.

July 1, 2010 10:32 am at 10:32 am |

roseadelaide,

In a world when almost anyone will do almost anything for "celebrity" status and/or money, I'm not surprised at what get said or whom is accused. In the great scheme of things, what Gore MIGHT have done is small potatoes compared to what our sitting legislators and politicians get away with.

We are purely mean and greedy country.

July 1, 2010 10:41 am at 10:41 am |

Jerry

Take note all fools that believed this man, he is going down and no democrats will help him.

July 1, 2010 10:51 am at 10:51 am |

CC Pennes

people like her can't believe that two people can just naturally grow apart, so we now have this scandal! i don't believe one word of it !!!!

July 1, 2010 10:52 am at 10:52 am |

Captain Awesome

I think Al Gore is a fat cat politician who is drunk with power. It's evident the by the way he demanded the massage therapist 'satisfy' him in a way that was demeaning to her. I feel sorry for this woman making the accusation because you can bet the media will go dumpster diving in an attempt to find any dirt to discredit her. The question is, will Al Gore be charged with sexual assault?

July 1, 2010 10:53 am at 10:53 am |

Annie, Atlanta

We have a potential case of assault nullified by greed. Doesn't this therapist know that greed only works if you're a large corporation, oil company (foreign or domestic), or bank on Wall Street, with a lot of Republican backing? Silly woman. This is going to become a public spectacle and she's going to wind up looking less than a fool.

July 1, 2010 10:54 am at 10:54 am |

all the news that's fit to omit

Hmmm, this could have read:

"The Edwards cannot comment on every defamatory, misleading, and inaccurate story generated by tabloids," Kreider said. "Mr. Edwards unequivocally and emphatically denied this accusation when he first learned of its existence three years ago. He stands by that denial."

Funny how this stuff has been coming out since they announced the divorce ( Miss Davis as well.........)?

My bad, this is part of the vast right-wing conspiracy even though this is a libtopia.